About Us

The Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) is a network of support for individuals and families with autism and related neurodiversities. PAFN has spokes spanning British Columbia with each location offering a variety of resources across the lifespan.

Serving British Columbians and all Canadians

15k+ people have found resources on PAFN's national knowledge network
PAFN offers 10+ unique annual sensory inclusive events
Relationships with 24 different employers for in-person job shadows

The PAFN’s core purpose is to be a Knowledge Centre: Bringing together state-of-the-art resources for research, information, learning, assessment, treatment and support; and building capacity to address the lifespan needs of individuals with ASD and related disorders. The PAFN will build upon existing lifespan services while at the same time addressing the need for support and services across the province.

The centre of knowledge and innovation involves the development of the hub in Richmond and spokes located in communities across the province, in collaboration with local community partners. The spoke centres will have full access to the expertise and information services offered at the hub.

The planning of the PAFN has been an inclusive and collaborative process involving families, individuals with ASD and related disorders, clinicians, community professionals, researchers and representatives of government within the framework of the PAFC Advisory Committee.

The PAFN will be an important addition to the resources available to families with children or adults on the autism spectrum and related disorders in BC.

Meet The PAFN Team

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Sergio Cocchia o.B.C. LL.D. (Hon)

Board of Directors
Board Chair, President

Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia C.M., O.B.C., LL.D. (Hon)

Board of Directors
Founder / Co-Chair of Fundraising Committee

Jack McGee

Board of Directors
Board Treasurer

Peter Raptis

Board of Directors
Board Member

Renée Watters

Board of Directors
Board Member

Walter Pela, FCPA, FCA

Board of Directors
Board Member

Dr. Suzanne Lewis

Staff
Chief Medical Officer & Vice President of Research

Bailey Stam

Staff
Manager of Employment Initiatives

SF Walker

Staff
Manager, Voices of Autism

Carmen Hamilton

Staff
Spoke Manager, Kelowna

David Patchell-Evans

Board of Directors
Board Member

Peter Webster

Board of Directors
Board Member

Pamela Martin

Board of Directors
Board Member

Greg D’Avignon

Board of Directors
Board Member

Stefan Chiru

Board of Directors
Board Member

Amyn Khimji

Staff
Controller

A Centre Unlike Any Other

The GoodLife Fitness Autism Family Hub, a.k.a., “the hub”,  is a purpose-built 60,000–square-foot facility, that is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of children, youth, families and adults with ASD.

Calming, family-friendly spaces with soft lighting will house clinics, labs, classrooms, observation rooms, multidisciplinary research spaces, libraries, and family information kiosks. The hub is designed to provide an open, unique and collaborative environment for some of BC’s most prominent and proven non-profit autism service organizations across the province.

Join our online family!

Subscribe to the PAFN Post monthly newsletter for updates on PAFN's latest developments, inclusive events, and access to information and resources.

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